Seven heritage diesel locomotives are to travel down to Swanage Railway in Dorset, to join the home fleet for the annual Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, plus there’s a guest appearance of a 1960s classic push-pull train.
The popular event takes place from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th May 2026 with the beer festival happening at Corfe Castle station.
A great range of Dorset beers and ciders to sample at Corfe Castle station
Forty Dorset ales and ten ciders
Now in its nineteenth year, the Diesel Gala and Beer Festival features an intensive three-train service with most trains operating along the entire length of the nine mile Swanage Railway – past Norden station and beyond Furzebrook to the River Frome within sight of Wareham.
It’s a return trip to Purbeck for the visiting Class 58 diesel locomotive No. 58 023 as it used to haul gas trains from the Wytch Farm oilfield gas terminal at Furzebrook to the national railway network at Wareham.
With 40 Dorset ales and 10 ciders – and hot food available – admission to the beer festival next to the Victorian goods shed at Corfe Castle station will be free with a token system for the purchase of drinks.
Evening ‘Beerex’ diesel trains will operate between Swanage and the beer festival at Corfe Castle on the Friday and Saturday to get everyone home safely.
The colourful Class 37 No.37 607 diesel locomotive
Bold and beautiful, the Class 26 No. 26007 diesel loco
Visiting heritage locomotives
- Class 20 20066 – Courtesy of Shaun Wright
- Class 26 26007 – Courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz
- Class 37 37607 – Courtesy of Swietelsky
- Class 45 45041 Royal Tank Regiment – Courtesy of Peak Locomotive Company
- Class 58 58023 Leicester Depot – Courtesy of Ed Stevenson
- Class 73 73119 Paul Taylor – Courtesy of GB Railfreight
- Mystery loco to be confirmed – Courtesy of GB Railfreight
- Class 438 4TC Multiple Unit no. 428 – Courtesy of London Underground
Class 73 73119 Paul Taylor diesel loco will be visiting Swanage for the gala
The pioneering 1966 push-pull 4TC multiple unit No. 428 which operated between London and Swanage from 1967 to 1969
Other attractions
The Swanage Railway museum will be open in the Victorian goods shed at Corfe Castle station, as will the Purbeck Mining Museum next to Norden station.
A Diesel Gala and Beer Festival preview event will take place on Thursday 7th May 2026 with a day of diesel and steam trains operating between Norden, Corfe Castle and Swanage.
Travelling along the heritage line will be 1962 Class 45 diesel locomotive No. 45 041 Royal Tank Regiment, and 1920s Southern Railway U class steam locomotive No. 31806.
Class 58 diesel locomotive No. 58 023 used to haul gas trains from the Wytch Farm oilfield gas terminal at Furzebrook
“Very special to see”
Swanage Railway volunteer and event organiser Dan Bennett said:
“It will be very special to see – and hear – Class 58 diesel locomotive No. 58 023 operate between Furzebrook and the River Frome since it hauled gas trains from the Wytch Farm oilfield gas terminal at Furzebrook to the national railway network before the terminal closed in 2005.
“A lot of detailed organisation by a small team of enthusiastic Swanage Railway volunteers and staff goes into planning the diesel gala with planning beginning four or five months before the event.”
Further information
- More about the Swanage Railway Diesel Gala and Beer Festival including timetables and fares
